United States Patent [t9J
`Johnson et al.
`
`[75]
`
`[54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERSISTANT
`ELECTRONIC MAIL REPLY PROCESSING
`Inventors: William J. Johnson, Flower Mound;
`Daniel P. Ristow, Watauga; Marvin
`L. Williams, Lewisville, all of Tex.
`International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 905,055
`Jun.26, 1992
`[22] Filed:
`Int. a.s ............................................. G06K 17/00
`[51)
`[52] u.s. a ...................................... 364/514; 358/402
`[58) Field of Search ......................... 364/514; 358/402
`[56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,713,780 12/1987 Schlutz eta! ....................... 364/514
`4,994,985 2/1991 Cree et al. ........................... 364/514
`5,040,141 8/1991 Yazima et al. ...................... 364/900
`5,057,935 10/1991 Williams .............................. 358/402
`5,220,516 6/1993 Dodson eta! ...................... 364/514
`
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`5,325,310
`Jun. 28, 1994
`
`US005325310A
`[II] Patent Number:
`[45) Date of Patent:
`
`Primary Examiner-Jack B. Harvey
`Assistant Examiner-Thomas Peeso
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Duke W. Yee; Andrew J.
`Dillon; Jonathan E. Jobe, Jr.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A method and system in a data processing system, hav(cid:173)
`ing a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a
`number of electronic mail objects which may be trans(cid:173)
`mitted and received within the distributed data process(cid:173)
`ing system, are provided for ensuring a specific re(cid:173)
`sponse to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient
`thereof within the data processing system. The method
`and system include designating an electronic mail ob(cid:173)
`ject as requiring a specific response and then transmit(cid:173)
`ting the electronic mail object to a recipient. The recipi(cid:173)
`ent of the electronic mail object is prompted for a spe(cid:173)
`cific response in response to the recipient opening an
`electronic mail object and is prohibited from perform(cid:173)
`ing a selected action until the specific response has been
`entered by the recipient.
`
`32 Oaims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`LOCAL
`AREA
`NETWORK
`
`14
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`5,325,310
`
` NETWORK LOCAL AREA
`
`
`GATEWIYSERVER
`
`
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 2
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`
`202
`
`204
`
`Sender selects
`to override the
`destination
`for the reply
`
`Sender enters
`destination
`address for
`the reply
`
`NO
`
`208
`
`Fig. 2
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`
`302
`
`Sender selects
`to send an
`electronic mail
`object for
`persistent reply
`
`304
`
`Sender selects
`type of
`persistent reply
`
`316
`
`Does a
`persistent YES
`(reply attribute
`exist for this'
`'object?'
`
`Indicate to
`sender a
`persistent
`reply attribute
`already exists
`
`NO
`
`310
`
`Sender specifies
`descriptor data
`for the type of
`ersistent reply
`
`Fig. 3
`
`YES
`
`STOP
`
`314
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`
`402
`
`Sender selects
`to delete
`current
`destination
`address
`
`412
`
`Indicate to
`sender there
`is no override
`pending
`
`YES
`
`406
`
`Delete the
`current override
`setting
`
`408
`
`410
`
`Indicate to
`the sender the
`current override
`selling was
`removed
`
`STOP
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`
`502
`
`Sender selects
`to delete
`current
`persistent
`reply setting
`
`512
`
`NO
`
`Indicate to
`sender there
`is no setting
`pending
`
`506
`
`508
`
`510
`
`Delete the
`current
`setting
`
`Indicate to
`the sender the
`current
`setting was
`removed
`
`STOP
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1994
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,325,310
`
`START
`
`Recipient
`works with a
`persistent
`reply electronic
`moil object
`opened from
`mo1l in-basket
`
`Recipient performs
`a definlfive
`action ( i e
`could be a final
`action) on the
`object such as
`fiLE, CLOSE. REPLY
`TO, ARCHIVE, etc
`
`600
`
`602
`
`604
`
`608
`
`NO
`
`Indicate to
`recipient a
`reply with dolo
`IS required
`
`612
`
`Fig. 6
`
`Actions
`0 n 0 b j e c1
`d f' db
`( ,
`e lne Y
`persistent
`reply attributes?
`
`Indicate to
`N
`r e c i pie n I I h a I
`0
`persistent
`~:...-~
`reply attributes
`hove not been
`satisfied
`
`Destination
`for reply=
`address of
`original sender
`of electronic
`moil object
`
`622
`
`NO
`
`616
`
`STOP
`
`620
`
`618
`
`Rep I y
`electronic
`moil object is
`sent to the
`destination
`with reply dolo
`
`Destination
`for reply=
`destination
`address
`specified
`by sender of
`electronic
`moil object
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 7
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,325,310
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERSISTANT
`ELECfRONIC MAIL REPLY PROCESSING
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is one object of the present invention to provide a
`method and system for an improved electronic mail
`S system.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro(cid:173)
`vide a method and system for an improved acknowl(cid:173)
`edgement system for electronic mail objects distributed
`within an electronic mail system.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide a method and system for an improved acknowl(cid:173)
`edgment system for electronic mail objects distributed
`within an electronic mail system through ensuring that
`an electronic mail object has been carefully examined
`by a recipient.
`The foregoing objects are achieved as is now de(cid:173)
`scribed. A method and system in a data processing sys(cid:173)
`tem, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and
`having a number of electronic mail objects which may
`be transmitted and received within the distributed data
`processing system, are provided for ensuring a specific
`response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipi(cid:173)
`ent thereof within the data processing system. The
`method and system include designating an electronic
`mail object as requiring a specific response and then
`transmitting the electronic mail object to a recipient.
`The recipient of the electronic mail object is prompted
`for a specific response in response to the recipient open(cid:173)
`ing the electronic mail object and is prohibited from
`performing a selected action until the specific response
`has been entered by the recipient.
`The above as well as additional objects, features, and
`advantages of the present invention will become appar(cid:173)
`ent in the following detailed written description.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates in general to an im(cid:173)
`proved electronic mail system and in particular, to a
`method and system for an improved acknowledgement 10
`system for electronic mail objects distributed within an
`electronic mail system. Still more particularly, the pres(cid:173)
`ent invention relates to a method and system for an
`improved acknowledgment system for electronic mail
`objects distributed within an electronic mail system 15
`through ensuring that an electronic mail object has been
`carefully examined by a recipient.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Electronic mail or "E-Mail" systems are well known
`in the prior art. By "electronic mail system", what is 20
`meant is a system whereby messages, notes, and docu(cid:173)
`ments in the form of electronic mail objects may be sent
`and/or received between two computers or work sta(cid:173)
`tions. Electronic mail objects also include other items 25
`that may be transmitted to a user, such as, for example,
`voice or verbal messages, and non textual items like
`graphics or drawings that may be electronically trans(cid:173)
`mitted. For example, two computers coupled together
`by a Local Area Network ("LAN") may be utilized to 30
`communicate detailed messages between the operators
`thereof. Similarly, two intelligent work stations coupled
`to a central processor may be utilized to transmit or
`receive electronic mail objects by utilizing well-known
`communication techniques.
`The sending of electronic mail objects has become a
`common and popular method for distributing messages
`and information to numerous people within an organi(cid:173)
`zation or between organizations utilizing an electronic
`mail system. Upon the receipt of an electronic mail
`object, the recipient may choose to read the electronic
`mail object, flle the electronic mail object, forward the
`electronic mail object to other users on the system,
`erase the electronic mail object, respond to the elec- 45
`tronic mail object, or some combination of the forego(cid:173)
`ing options.
`It is often desirable in an electronic mail system to
`distribute an electronic mail object to a number of users
`with the expectation of a reply confirming the reception SO
`and reading of the electronic mail object. For example,
`a company may send a notice to employees in the form
`of an electronic mail object, which should be read and
`understood by the employees. For various legal rea(cid:173)
`sons, each employee is to send a note back, which states 55
`that it has been read and understood.
`Presently available acknowledgement systems may
`indicate that an electronic mail object has been sent and
`received by a recipient, but do not provide a mechanism 60
`to ensure or compel a reply by the recipient. The vari(cid:173)
`ous forms of acknowledgement that are presently avail(cid:173)
`able do not ensure that the recipient of the electronic
`mail object has actually read it, let alone read it care-
`fully.
`Consequently, there is a need for an electronic mail
`system having a mechanism for ensuring that a recipient
`of an electronic mail object will read it carefully.
`
`40
`
`65
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The novel features believed characteristic of the in(cid:173)
`vention are set forth in the appended claims. The inven(cid:173)
`tion itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use,
`further objects and advantages thereof, will best be
`understood by reference to the following detailed de(cid:173)
`scription of an illustrative embodiment when read in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a data
`processing system, which may be utilized to implement
`the method of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a high level flowchart of a method and
`system for selecting to override the default of the send(cid:173)
`er's mail address for the reply in accordance with a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 depicts a high level flowchart of a method and
`system for selecting a persistent reply option during
`editing or sending of an electronic mail object in accor(cid:173)
`dance with a preferred embodiment of the present in(cid:173)
`vention;
`FIG. 4 is a high level flowchart of a method and
`system for selecting to remove an override for a destina(cid:173)
`tion address in accordance with a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 depicts a high level flowchart of a method and
`system for selecting to remove a persistent reply setting
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pres(cid:173)
`ent invention; and
`FIG. 6 is a high level flowchart of a method and
`system for processing an electronic mail object associ(cid:173)
`ated with one or more persistent reply attributes re(cid:173)
`ceived from a sender in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 8
`
`

`

`5,325,310
`
`25
`
`4
`3
`tion. The electronic mail object may be in the form of
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRE.D
`text, an image, or a voice message.
`EMBODIMENT
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`With reference now to the figures, and in particular
`present invention, a mechanism for forcing a recipient
`with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a pictorial 5 to reply to an electronic mail object with data is in-
`representation of a data processing system 8, which may
`eluded. For example, a company may send a notice to
`be utilized to implement the method and system of the
`its employees which should be read and understood by
`present invention. As may be seen, data processing
`the employees. For legal reasons, each employee is
`system 8 may include a plurality of networks, such as
`required to send a note back to the sender, which states
`Local Area Networks (LAN) 10 and 32, each of which 10 that the electronic mail object has been read and under-
`stood. The present invention provides a mechanism
`preferably includes a plurality of individual computers
`12 and 30, respectively. Of course, those skilled in the
`whereby each recipient must reply with data stating
`art will appreciate that a plurality of Intelligent Work
`that the electronic mail object has been read and under-
`Stations (IWS) coupled to a host processor may be
`stood. The data may be in the form of text, an image
`utilized for each such network.
`15 scanned into the data processing system, or a voice or
`As is common in such data processing systems, each
`verbal message digitized for transmission within a data
`individual computer may be coupled to a storage device
`processing system.
`14 and/or a printer/output device 16. One or more such
`In another example, a company may be trying to
`storage devices 14 may be utilized, in accordance with
`obtain feedback on a new logo or design. An image of
`the method of the present invention, to store documents 20 the logo or design may be transmitted to the employees.
`or resource objects which may be periodically accessed
`The present invention provides a mechanism by which
`by any user within data processing system 8. In a man-
`each recipient must reply with data in response to view-
`ner well known in the prior art, each such document or
`ing the logo or design.
`resource object stored within a storage device 14 may
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`be freely interchanged throughout data processing sys-
`present invention, the mechanism may prevent the dele-
`tern 8 by transferring a document to a user at an individ-
`tion and archival of the note or image until an appropri-
`ual computer 12 or 32, for example.
`ate reply is made. In fact, the sender of the electronic
`Still referring to FIG. 1, it may be seen that data
`mail object may mark or associate an attribute with the
`processing network 8 may also include multiple main- 30 electronic mail object such that it cannot be exited out
`frame computers, such as mainframe computer 18,
`of until the appropriate reply has been made. These
`which may be preferably coupled to Local Area Net-
`attributes are called "persistent reply attributes".
`work (LAN) 10 by means of communications link 22.
`Persistent reply attributes are set on an electronic
`Main frame computer 18 may also be coupled to a stor-
`mail object before the electronic mail object is sent for
`age device 20 which may serve as remote storage for 35 distribution. Interpretation of these persistent reply
`Local Area Network (LAN) 10. Similarly, Local Area
`attributes indicate how the recipient data processing
`Network (LAN) 10 may be coupled via communica-
`system should govern user interaction for forcing a
`tions link 24 through a subsystem control unit/com-
`reply containing data from the recipient of the elec-
`munications controller 26 and communications link 34
`tronic mail object. By default, the sender of the elec-
`to a gateway server 28. Gateway server 28 is preferably 40 tronic mail object is assumed to be the recipient for the
`an individual computer or Interactive Work Station
`reply unless an override is set on the electronic mail
`(IWS) which serves to link Local Area Network
`object.
`(LAN) 32 to Local Area Network (LAN) 10.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a high
`level flowchart of a method and system for selecting to
`As discussed above with respect to Local Area Net-
`work (LAN) 32 and Local Area Network (LAN) 10, a 45 override the default of the sender's mail address for the
`plurality of documents or resource objects may be
`reply in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`stored within storage device 20 and controlled by main-
`present invention. As illustrated, the process begins in
`frame computer 18, as Resource Manager or Library
`block 200 and thereafter proceeds to block 202, which
`Service for the resource objects thus stored. Of course,
`depicts a selection by the sender to override the destina-
`those skilled in the art will appreciate that mainframe 50 tion for the reply to an electronic mail object selected
`for persistent reply. The override is achieved by setting
`computer 18 may be located a great geographic dis-
`tance from Local Area Network (LAN) 10 and simi-
`a "persistent reply to report" attribute, which contains
`larly Local Area Network (LAN) 10 may be located a
`a destination address for the reply. This attribute may be
`substantial distance from Local Area Network (LAN)
`the return address for the reply which would automati-
`32. For example, Local Area Network (LAN) 32 may 55 cally pop into the recipient address on the reply or
`be located in California while Local Area Network
`electronic mail object in accordance with a preferred
`(LAN) 10 may be located within Texas and mainframe
`embodiment of the present invention.
`computer 18 may be located in New York.
`Next, the process proceeds to block 204, which illus-
`A user located at an individual computer 12 in Local
`trates the entering of a destination address for the reply
`Area Network (LAN) 10 may desire to send an elec- 60 by the sender. Afterwards, the process proceeds to
`tronic mail object to another user in Local Area Net-
`block 206, which depicts a determination of whether or
`not the address entered by the user is valid. If the ad-
`work (LAN) 10 or to a user at an individual computer
`30 in Local Area Network 32 utilizing an electronic
`dress is not valid, the process returns to block 204 so
`mail system. The user may wish to ensure that the recip-
`that the sender may enter another destination address
`ient views or carefully reads the electronic mail object 65 for the reply. If the address is valid, the process termi-
`nates as illustrated in block 208. Following this method,
`by electing to require the recipient to reply or acknowl-
`edge the electronic mail object by entering data em-
`the sender may designate another address as a destina-
`ploying a preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion address for the electronic mail object.
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 9
`
`

`

`5,325,310
`
`5
`6
`keystrokes that a recipient of an electronic mail object is
`With reference now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a
`to hit before a satisfactory reply occurs. A negative
`high level flowchart of a method and system for select-
`numeric value indicates that the reply is forced immedi-
`ing a persistent reply option during editing or sending of
`an electronic mail object in accordance with a preferred
`ately upon the Nth keystroke. A positive numeric value
`embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the 5 indicates that the recipient must initiate the reply with
`the usual interface, but the reply electronic mail object
`process begins in block 300 and thereafter proceeds to
`block 302, which depicts a selection by the sender to
`will not be sent unless the limit of keystrokes were hit.
`send an electronic mail object for persistent reply. Next,
`Next, REPLY _DATA-BY -FIELD is a sophisti-
`the process proceeds to block 304, which illustrates a
`cated persistent reply attribute that allows the sender of
`selection of the type of persistent reply desired by the 10 an electronic mail object to specify the field locations
`within an electronic mail object and what allowable
`sender. Thereafter, the process proceeds to block 306,
`which depicts a determination of whether or not the
`textual characters may be made. In accordance with a
`type of persistent reply selected by the sender is valid. If
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data
`the type of persistent reply is not valid, the process then
`consists of tuples, where each tuple is defmed by a name
`returns to block 304 so that the sender may select an- 15 and a value or string. The tuple, OFFSET, is associated
`with an offset (a numeric value) from the original elec-
`other type of persistent reply.
`Referring back to block 306, if the type of persistent
`tronic mail object start to the first character in the field;
`reply is valid, the process then proceeds to block 308,
`the tuple, LENGTH, is associated with a numeric
`which illustrates a determination of whether or not a
`value, wherein the absolute value of the numeric value
`persistent reply attribute exists for the electronic mall 20 is the length of the data required, starting at the offset.
`Next, STRING is a tuple, which includes a string that is
`object. If a persistent reply attribute does not exist for
`the electronic mail object, the process then proceeds to
`the actual singular allowable string allowed at the OFF-
`block 310, which depicts the sender specifying the de-
`SET for LENGTH characters. Blanks are included in
`scriptor data for the type of persistent reply. Descriptor
`the LENGTH value, and a negative LENGTH value
`data is the data required from a recipient of an elec- 25 indicates that a no mixed case is allowed in STRING,
`tronic mail object selected for persistent reply in order
`while a positive LENGTH value indicates that a mixed
`to execute a proper reply. Next, block 312 depicts a
`case is allowed in STRING. Additionally, STRING
`determination of whether or not the descriptor data is
`may include special characters from the upper charac-
`valid for the type of persistent reply chosen. If the de-
`ter codes in a code page for special meanings such as
`scriptor data is not valid for the type of persistent reply 30 wildcard, replication, etc.
`chosen, the process returns to block 310 so that the
`In addition to the entry of data, a preferred embodi-
`sender may specify data for the type of persistent reply
`ment of the present invention may be utilized to ensure
`desired. If the descriptor data is valid for the type of
`that a recipient performs selected actions on the elec-
`persistent reply chosen, the process then terminates as
`tronic mail object such as, for example, saving the elec-
`depicted in block 314.
`35 tronic mail object. In such an example, the descriptor
`Referring back to block 308, if a persistent reply
`data may require a number of keystrokes, including a
`attribute exists for the electronic mail object, the pro-
`combination of control and function keys, to be entered
`cess then proceeds to block 316, which illustrates indi-
`by a recipient that would result in the electronic mail
`eating to the sender that a persistent reply attribute
`object being saved within the electronic mail system.
`already exists for the electronic mail object selected for 40 These keystrokes would have to be entered by the re-
`a persistent reply. Again, the process thereafter termi-
`cipient in order to exit the electronic mail object.
`nates as depicted in block 314.
`Additionally, persistent reply attributes may be also
`Various types of persistent reply attributes may be set
`utilized to direct whether the recipient is to reply by
`for an electronic mail object, such as, for example, RE-
`utilizing a new electronic mail object, forwarding the
`PLY-DATA-LENGTH,
`CHARACTER._AB- 45 electronic mail object with a new document appended
`SENCE,
`KEYSTROKE-SAVE,
`and
`RE-
`to it, or resending the electronic mail object with over-
`PLY _DATA-BY _FJELD. The descriptor data for a
`typed or new characters added to the electronic mail
`REPLY-DATA-LENGTH persistent reply attribute
`object.
`is a numeric value indicating how many new characters
`Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
`must exist in the data body of the reply electronic mail 50 the above described persistent reply types may be uti-
`object. Next, the CHARACTER._ABSENCE type of
`lized with all types of a reply such as, for example,
`persistent reply attribute specifies a character which WYSIWYG mail, FORWARD, RESEND, REPLY,
`will be scanned for in the reply electronic mail object to
`etc. It is also contemplated that persistent reply attn-
`determine whether or not the reply data entered by a
`butes may be utilized alone or in combination with
`recipient is satisfactory. The presence of this character 55 other persistent reply attributes. Additionally, other
`types of persistent reply attributes may be utilized in
`in the reply electronic mail object will prevent a reply
`from being completed and sent by the recipient. Typi-
`addition to the examples described above. Verbal mes-
`cally, an underscore character,"_", is utilized to defme
`sages may be digitized for transmission within a data
`reply fields in an electronic mail object. The recipient of
`processing system utilizing well known analog to digital
`the electronic mail object would have to type over all of 60 techniques. The present invention is not intended to be
`limited to text. For example, a persistent reply attribute
`the underscore characters with other characters in
`order to enter a satisfactory reply to the electronic mail
`may require an image to be scanned into the data pro-
`cessing system or may require a verbal message from
`object.
`Another type of persistent reply attribute that may be
`the recipient to be digitally transmitted within the data
`utilized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of 65 processing system.
`is KEY _STROKE-SAVE,
`Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a high
`the present invention
`which involves selecting a numeric value, wherein the
`level flowchart of a method and system for selecting to
`absolute value of this attribute indicates the number of
`remove an override for a destination address in accor-
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1007 - Page 10
`
`

`

`5,325,310
`
`8
`7
`indication to the recipient that a reply with data is re-
`dance with a preferred embodiment of the present in-
`quired. Thereafter, the process returns to block 602 so
`vention. As illustrated, the process begins in block 400
`that the recipient may· work with the persistent reply
`and thereafter proceeds to block 402, which depicts a
`electronic mail object to enter data.
`selection by the sender to delete the current destination
`address. It also is contemplated that multiple destination 5
`Referring again to block 606, if the action taken by
`the recipient is determined to be a reply, the process
`addresses may be employed in accordance with a pre-
`ferred embodiment of the present invention. Next, the
`then proceeds to block 610, which depicts a determina-
`tion of whether or not the actions performed by the
`process to block 404, which illustrates a determination
`recipient on the persistent reply electronic mail object
`of whether or not a current override is pending. If a
`current override is pending, the process then proceeds 10 are actions as defmed by the persistent reply attributes
`to block 406, which depicts the deletion of the current
`associated with the persistent reply electronic mail ob-
`ject. If the actions are not those as defmed by the persis-
`override setting. Thereafter, the process proceeds to
`block 408, which illustrates an indication to the sender
`tent reply attributes associated with the persistent reply
`that the current override setting was removed. After-
`electronic mail object, the process then proceeds to
`wards, the process terminates as depicted in block 410. 15 block 612, which illustrates an indication to the recipi-
`Referring back to block 404, if a current override is
`not pending, the process proceeds instead to block 412,
`ent that the persistent reply attributes have not been
`satisfied. Thereafter, the process returns to block 602 so
`which illustrates an indication to the sender that no
`override pending is present. Again, the process thereaf-
`that the recipient may work with the persistent reply
`ter terminates as depicted in block 410.
`20 electronic mail object.
`With reference now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a
`Referring again to block 610, if the actions performed
`high level flowchart of a method and system for select-
`on the persistent reply electronic mail object are those
`ing to remove a persistent reply setting in accordance
`as defmed by the persistent attributes, the process then
`with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`proceeds to block 614, which depicts a determination of
`With this method, a sender may remove any attributes 25 whether or not a destination address has been specified.
`This destination address may be set by the sender, as
`associated with an electronic mail object selected for
`persistent reply. As depicted, the process begins in
`illustrated in FIG. 2. If a destination address has been
`block 500 and thereafter proceeds to block 502, which
`specified, the process then proceeds to block 616, which
`illustrates the setting of the destination for the reply
`illustrates a selection by the sender to delete the current
`persistent reply setting. Next, the process proceeds to 30 equal to the destination address specified by the sender
`block 504, which depicts a determination of whether or
`of the electronic mail object. Thereafter, the process
`not a current setting is pending. If a current setting is
`proceeds to block 618, which depicts the sending of a
`pending, the process then proceeds to block 506, which
`reply electronic mail object to the destination with
`illustrates a deletion of the current setting. As a result,
`reply data. Subsequently, the process terminates as illus-
`all persistent reply attributes that may be associated 35 trated in block 620.
`with the electronic mail object are removed from the
`Referring back to block 614, if a destination address
`electronic mail object. Then, the process proceeds to
`has not been specified, the process then proceeds to
`block 508, which depicts an indication to the sender that
`block 622, which depicts the setting of the destination
`for the reply equal to the address of the original sender
`the current setting was removed. Thereafter, the pro-
`cess terminates as illustrated in block 510.
`40 of the persistent reply electronic mail object. Then, the
`Referring again in block 504, if a current setting is not
`process proceeds to block 618, which depicts the send-
`pending, the process then proceeds to block 512, which
`ing of the reply electronic mail object to the destination
`depicts an indication to the sender that no setting is
`with the reply data. Thereafter, the process terminates
`pending. Thereafter, the process terminates as illus-
`as illustrated in block 620.
`trated in block 510.
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`With reference now to FIG. 6, there is depicted a
`present invention, a reply may be forced at the time that
`high level flowchart of a method and system for pro-
`a persistent reply electronic mail object is opened. Al-
`cessing an electronic mail object associated with one or
`ternatively, a recipient may be prevented from archiv-
`more persistent reply attributes received from a sender
`ing or flling an electronic mail object until the desig-
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pres- 50 nated response has been entered.
`ent invention. An electronic mail object associated with
`While the invention has been particularly shown and
`one or more persistent reply attributes is also called a
`persistent reply electronic mail object. As illustrated,
`described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that vari-
`the process begins in block 600 and thereafter proceeds
`to block 602, which depicts the recipient working with 55 ous changes in form and detail may be made therein
`a persistent reply electronic mail object opened from a
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the in-
`mail in-basket in an electronic mail system. Thereafter,
`vention. .
`.
`.
`What IS clatm~d ts:
`the process proceeds to block 604, which illustrates the
`.
`.
`performance of a defmitive action (i.e., a fmal action) by
`1. ~ method m a data proc~smg sys~em, havm~ a
`the recipient on the persistent reply electronic mail 60 plurality of users enrolled therem and havmg a plurality
`object such as FILE, CLOSE, REPLY TO, AR-
`of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and
`CHIVE, etc.
`received within said data processing system, for ensur-
`Next, the process proceeds to block 606, which de-